Omaha, NE → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Omaha to Ames

About 161 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,030–$3,020, delivery in 1–2 days, 318 carriers on the Omaha side and 55 in Ames.

161 miroad distance
3 h 29 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,030–$3,0202-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Omaha, Nebraska
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 161 miles (136 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 29 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 318 (200 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Omaha

The route from Omaha, NE to Ames, IA covers roughly 161 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the regional long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $2,030 to $3,020 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 29 min.

On the Omaha side there are 318 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (200 of them authorized for interstate work), and 55 around Ames (25 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Ames.

Omaha has a population of about 488,797 and Ames about 66,000. Omaha is considerably denser (3,433 people per square mile versus 2,355), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Omaha to Ames

Full-service estimate for 161 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,160	$1,410	$1,720
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,220	$1,490	$1,810
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,030	$2,480	$3,020
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,250	$3,960	$4,830
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,470	$5,450	$6,640

Rental truck (DIY)

$320–$440

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,160–$1,710

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,030–$3,020

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Omaha, NE → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Omaha (origin)

Amcon Distributing Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 300388
MC: 76939
Based in: Omaha, NE 68122 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 459 trucks, 163 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (402) 331-3727 Route Verify on FMCSA

Accutran

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Transportation Specialists LTD

USDOT: 193227
MC: 155796
Based in: Omaha, NE 68138 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 313 trucks, 292 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (402) 895-9610 Route Verify on FMCSA

H & M Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 290983
MC: 198858
Based in: Omaha, NE 68107 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 280 trucks, 271 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (402) 431-9410 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ford Storage & Moving Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 563314
MC: 254535
Based in: Omaha, NE 68138 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 240 trucks, 193 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (402) 592-5455 Route Verify on FMCSA

Go Express

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Greater Omaha Express LLC

USDOT: 1496724
MC: 562575
Based in: Omaha, NE 68107 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 124 trucks, 102 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (402) 731-8009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Select Van & Storage Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1098759
MC: 448741
Based in: Omaha, NE 68127 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 67 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (402) 935-3700 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nebraska Atlantic Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 597730
MC: 288243
Based in: LA Vista, NE 68128 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 58 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (402) 332-0200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jibreel Amin Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Peace Messenger Transport INC

USDOT: 2009496
MC: 708519
Based in: Omaha, NE 68134 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 39 trucks, 44 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (531) 344-6147 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 318 movers in Omaha

Near Ames (destination)

Central Iowa Towing And Recovery

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC

USDOT: 2359315
MC: 1349765
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 88 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 290-4188 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hemmen Moving INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 608245
MC: 292343
Based in: Ames, IA 50014 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (515) 268-9090 Route Verify on FMCSA

J T L Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2528339
MC: 887466
Based in: Randall, IA 50231 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (515) 669-1891 Route Verify on FMCSA

V&c Express Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3635053
MC: 1246860
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (904) 418-8009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Combined Relocation Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1666941
MC: 709641
Based in: Huxley, IA 50124 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (515) 276-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alex Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4346742
MC: 1699031
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 817-4521 Route Verify on FMCSA

Property Service Agency LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1433739
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (515) 233-1922 Route Verify on FMCSA

M&a Moving And Hauling

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC

USDOT: 2340775
Based in: Madrid, IA 50156 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 795-3676 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 55 movers in Ames

Related routes

Other destinations from Omaha

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Omaha to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,160 to $1,720 for a studio, $1,220 to $1,810 for a one-bedroom, $2,030 to $3,020 for a two-bedroom, $3,250 to $4,830 for a three-bedroom and $4,470 to $6,640 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Omaha?

About 161 road miles (136 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 29 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Nebraska into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Omaha to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $320 to $440 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,160 to $1,710. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Omaha–Ames corridor.